The Advocate of the Principle of Equality for the Republic of Slovenia published its annual report for the year 2018. After its second fully operational year as an independent national equality body, the report looks back at the process of establishing the body in accordance with the Slovenian Protection Against Discrimination Act (PADA) and the activities undertaken to address discrimination in the country.
Regarding individual cases, the Advocate has managed to close 149 cases out of the 229 under consideration in 2018, partially thanks to a significant budget increase following the European Commission’s standards for equality bodies. In the cases where the ground of discrimination was listed, disability was predominant (23,8%), followed by gender (12,7%) and ethnicity (12,7%). Also included are a detailed analysis of specific cases for each of the grounds covered by the PADA.
The report gives a thorough overview of the work of the Advocate beyond handling cases, including awareness raising, international cooperation and cooperation with NGOs working on Roma people, persons with disability, young people and the LGBT community.
Work and employment are highlighted with an analysis of various forms of discrimination at work and illustrative examples. The Advocate also emphasises the importance of distinguishing between workplace bullying and harassment as a special form of discrimination which require different responses, both in terms of prevention and sanctions.